CLEVELAND – As a huge series in the American League Central division and Wild Card races gets under way, the Twins received a huge boost to their lineup Monday. Minnesota activated Byron Buxton from the injured list after he missed two weeks due to a right hip strain.
Infielder Tristan Gray was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in order to make room for Buxton, a move that will have several knock-on effects on manager Derek Shelton’s lineups.
But the big one is Buxton, who has been easily Minnesota’s best player as the Twins have surprised by staying very much in contention for a postseason spot.
“Any time we get Buck back is important,” Shelton said. “But to get him back against Cleveland, playing in the division, it's a four-game set. It's just nice to have him back in the lineup. … It totally changes the complexion of our lineup because everybody slots in where they should. When you bring your best player back on the field, it puts everything back to normal.”
Earlier this month, Buxton was elected to his third All-Star Game, but he was forced to miss last week's Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia due to the hip injury that sent him to the IL on July 7. The 32-year-old is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, with a .907 OPS that's his highest since 2021, when he was limited to 61 games. His 25 homers are 10 shy of his career high, set last year.
As for the move with Gray, it impacts the Twins in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it establishes Ryan Kreidler as the team’s primary shortstop for the time being. Kreidler and Gray had been splitting time at short, but Kreidler has hit well and emerged as clearly the team’s best defensive shortstop.
Meanwhile, Brooks Lee, who has made one appearance at short since being moved off the position in May following the demotion of Royce Lewis, becomes the backup shortstop. He has extensive experience there in the past, but he has played third base almost exclusively over the past two months. But with Gray no longer an option, Lee becomes the second choice at short.
And by optioning Gray rather than outfielder Alan Roden, the Twins signaled that they want to get a longer look at Roden. The club likes the lefty-swinging outfielder’s offensive potential and at-bats, and he’ll probably get the bulk of playing time against right-handers in right field.
That in turn will eat some into the playing time of Luke Keaschall, whose opportunities will continue to come in right field and in center when Buxton doesn’t start or serves as DH. Shelton indicated that Keaschall is not considered part of the second-base mix at this time.